Introduced at Armstrong Wolfe’s inaugural COO Summit in February 2023, the COO Debating Society held its first debate; Purpose verses Controls as the single means to manage conduct.

Through debate the society seeks to draw attention to subjects at the heart of the COO’s mandate. The judges and audience are briefed they can only vote on the strength of the argument presented, not any predetermined views on the subject. The debates will often place aspects which are complementary against each other, where both are clearly needed for success but you can only vote for one.

The debate affords each team the opportunity to take the audience on a two dimensional journey to a result that is not predetermined, as both are often needed but the strength of the argument defines the result. The debate is used to break down and present the strengths of each in its own right, and prompt thought on important aspects of the COO’s day to day activities.

The COO Debating Society is open to the directorate of corporate members of iCOOC and Ad Centrum, the Society’s alumni (previous judges, debaters and hosts), and invited guests.